Game



Sept. 21 1926.

J. W. RUNCHEY ET AL GAME , 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8

INVE T08; W- RUNCHEY J MPJ'OIV Patented Sept. 21,1926,

S'P NT '0 1,600,600 FFICE- JAMES W. RUNCHEY, OF'BAN uarno, AND mnonn snilrson, or nunnmeamn, CALI- ronna; s am nUNoImY ASSIGNOR rogsnn samrson.

ems.

Application filed Decemberv larly a modified form of golf, and an object of the invention is to provide an indoor golf course calling for all the strokes or plays required on a regulation outdoor course.

enable the player to drive the ball with the same force that he would use on aregular course. I

Another object of the invention is the provision in an indoor game of hazards, such as sand traps, sloping surfaces and bunkers to simulate the difficulties encountered on an outside golf links.

A further object of the invention is the production of an indoor golf course which may be associated with a sales or display department in a store. I

Our invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of our invention. It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the showing made by' the said description as we may adopt variant embodiments of the invention within the scope of the claims;

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of our indoor golf course, showing one arrangement of the screens and other hazards. J

Figures 2 to 10 inclusive are front elevations of various screens used in the game.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the screen 50, the plane of section bisecting the trap tube longitudinally.

Broadly our invention comprises apparatus for playing a game closely related-to golf and which may be played on an indoor course or other restricted area. The rules governing the game are the same as golf, and the various types of plays, calling for the use of the different clubs, are included in our game. Screens are employed to secure the effects normally obtained by distance, and hazards suchas traps, mounds, slopes and bunkers are provided to make the game as realistic as possible.

Our invention is particularly adapted for use in a store which sells sporting goods, as display rooms may be associated with the 7 course and all accessories such as clubs, bags and clothing shown there may also be seen in actual use. The invention is also useful 8, 1525. Serial n. 74,011.

to golf instructors, as they are able to teach students all types of plays in the. studio. In detail our invention comprises a course dlvided to form nine holes. Each hole 13 separated from the others and from the room Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for indoor use which will ingeneral by suitable protecting curtains 16. These curtains may be made of heavy netting 1f desired so that the playe'rscan eachother, 0r so that observers on theoutsicle may watchthe players or view the goods they are displaying. To enable the reader to follow the description and drawings read- 1ly we-have designated the area associated.

with each hole with the numerals 1 9 inclusive.

To play the game of our invention,"the player takesfhis stance at the tee 17 ofthe usual form,v and with the driver, drives a standard golf ball from the tee toward" the substantially vertical screen 18, which may be supported by a suitable frame or'hung from the ceiling. If the shot is perfect the ball will pass thru the aperture 19 in the screen and strike the curtain 21, which is provided to stop the ball, and which is preferably suspended in the same manner as the screen 18. If the, drive is'incorrectlyplaced, f

the ball will not pass thru the aperture 19, and the player is penalized by losing a stroke, and is required to repeat the stroke, until he places the drive correctly.

" When the first play has been successfully accomplished the ball is placed on a second tee 26, which represents the position of the ball on thefairway after the first drive; and

withthe-mashie the player drives the ball toward the screen 27 This screen is divided into areas, some of which are'marked with and others of which represent traps. Disposed back of the screen 27 is a sand trap 28, of the usual form, into which the ball will go if one of the areas marked Trap is struck by the ball. 'It/ will be founddifficult to shoot for the cup 29 in the green 30 from this trap, for if the player strikes too hard, the ball encounters asloping curtain 31, and runs down this curtain where it will usually gain enough speed to roll across the green and back into the sand trap. If, however, a good shot is'made with the mashie from 'the tee 26,'the ball strikes one of the evaluated areas, and is then placed on one of the markers 32, according to the area struck, The markers are spaced at different drives toward the screen 37.

distances from the cup, and the position nearest the cup is accordingly secured by the best shot. From'the marker the player then putts the ball for the cup 29, which, [when 'successfully-played, completes the first hole.

TheJPlayer then proceeds to the tee 36, and As soon as this shot has been successfully accomplished he continues to the tee 38 and with the brassie, drives towardthe screen 39. These two plays are substantially the same as that already described from the tee 17. The next play is from the tee 40 thru the screen 41 61; from the tee 62 thru the screens 63, 64 and 65 to the cup 66; from the tee 67 thru the screen 68 to the cup 69; and from the tee 70 thru the screens 71 and 72 to the cup 73, completing the ninth hole.

The screens are of two general types, one

type havingpne or more apertures therein,

and the other type-having evaluated areas thereon which control the next play. For

re 2 of the drawings-shows example, Fi

provided with a square centhe screen 4 V trally dis osed aperture 75, thru which the ball shou d pass if the shotis well placed. On two sides of the aperture are areas 76 marked Trap', and. should the ball hit either of these areas, it is thrown by the player into a trap adjacent the screen. The screens 60 and 68 shown in Figures 4 and 7 respectivel are the same as the screen 47 shown in lgure 2, except for variations in dimensions and arrangement of parts and are played in the same manner. The screen 50shown in Figure 6, is similar to the three screens shown 1n Figures 2,4 and 7, exce t that apertures 77 are provided instead of t e areas marked Trap, such a backed by a cloth tube 78 lea ing to an adjacent trap 81. If the ball is successfully shot thru the central apertures in any of these-screens the player proceeds to the next tee. If, however, the ball strikes any of the areas or apertures indicating a trap, the next play must be made from a trap adjacent the screen; The screens 39 and 18 shown in Figures 5 and 8 respectively have centrally disposed apertures gnly, but of different shapes. If a ball fails to go thru the aperture and strikes one of these screens, the shot must be repeated until the player succeeds in sending the ball thru the aperture. The apertures in all of these screens are'of varying sizes and shapes depending upon the type of shotvto be made. For example,

rtures being each screen but the general result is similar.

Each of these screens have portions adjacent the edges indicating traps and if the ball strikes one of these portions it is placed in the trap. Markers 32 arep'laced at various distances from the green corresponding to the evaluated areas on these screens, so that the area contacted by the ball indicates the marker from which the ball is putted toward the cup. I

These various types of screens are provided to vary the game and avoid the monotony of repetition. To give further variety we provide in addition to the sand traps 28 and 81 and the sloping curtains 31 and 82, bunkers or meunds 83, and a long slope .84, from, against, or over which the ball is played. Another variation is found in the fourth hole, where there is a short curtainw 86 spaced a little above the floor, and under which the ball must pass from the sand trap 81 adjacent the said curtain.

It will readily be seen that our indoor game provides all the plays ordinarily encountered in theusual outdoor golf course, that the same force and skill are required, and that it offers advantageous features for sales promotion and studio work.

We claim 1. Apparatus for playing a modified game of golf comprising a substantially vertical screen having an aperture therein thru which the ball is driven if the play is perfect, a

second substantially vertical screen having evaluated areas thereon against which the ball may be driven in the second play, the point of contact of the ball with the screen mdicating the third play, and markers corresponding to the evaluated areas to indicate the position of the ball at the beginning of the third play. I

2. Apparatus for pla ing the first hole of a modified game of go f comprising a-substantially vertical screen having an aperture therein thru which the balltis driven if the lay is perfect a curtain back of said screen ibr sto ping the ball, a second substantially vertica screen having evaluated areas there- I play, markers corresponding to the evaluated osition of the ball at areas to indicate the thebeginning of the t 'ird-play','and an area having a hole therein into which the ball may be putted.

3. A paratus for playing a modified game of gol comprising a substantially vertical screen having a large aperture therein thru which the ball is dri-yen'if the play is peragainst which the ball may be driven, the 10 feet and a plurality of smaller apertures point of. contact of the ball with the curtain thru which an imperfectly driven ball may indicating the next play, and markers correpass, a trap adjacent said screen, and means sponding to the evaluated areas to indicate 5/ for delivering a ball driven thru one of the the position of the ball at said next play.

small apertures into said trap. I In testimony whereof, we have hereunto 1 4. A paratus for playing a modified game set our hands. of gol comprising a substantially vertical JAMES W. RUNCHEY.

screen havmg evaluated areas thereon- HAROLD SAMPSON. 

